Necropsy-examination of Necropsy-examination of an animal after it has diedan animal after it has died
Necropsy: Fun at the BeachNecropsy: Fun at the Beach
TermsTermsPathology—study of diseasePathology—study of disease
Gross pathology—pathologic changes seen Gross pathology—pathologic changes seen with naked eyewith naked eye
Histopathology—clinical changes seen with Histopathology—clinical changes seen with a microscopea microscope
Lesions—pathologic changesLesions—pathologic changes Pathogenesis—the sequence of events of Pathogenesis—the sequence of events of
the disease (dog was bitten → bacteria the disease (dog was bitten → bacteria entered wound → elevated temperature → entered wound → elevated temperature → pus formed → etc)pus formed → etc)
Reasons for NecropsyReasons for Necropsy– Determine cause of death Determine cause of death – Determine accuracy of clinical Determine accuracy of clinical
diagnosisdiagnosis– Evaluate effects of therapy Evaluate effects of therapy – In herds, 1 or more animals may be In herds, 1 or more animals may be
sacrificed to determine the cause of sacrificed to determine the cause of disease or toxicity disease or toxicity
– Routine in pharmaceutical studiesRoutine in pharmaceutical studies
Preliminary Steps for Preliminary Steps for NecropsyNecropsy
Obtain owners permission; also determine Obtain owners permission; also determine if owner wants remains for burial, etcif owner wants remains for burial, etc
Correctly identify animal (species, breed, Correctly identify animal (species, breed, sex, age, ID tags or tattoos)sex, age, ID tags or tattoos)
Perform necropsy ASAP after death; if Perform necropsy ASAP after death; if delayed, refrigerate animal to delay delayed, refrigerate animal to delay autolysis; DON’T FREEZEautolysis; DON’T FREEZE
Necropsy ReportNecropsy Report Location Location Number of lesionsNumber of lesions Color of abnormalities (dark red, black, Color of abnormalities (dark red, black,
etc)etc) Size of lesions (cm or weight)Size of lesions (cm or weight) Shape of lesion (round, flat, oval)Shape of lesion (round, flat, oval) DistributionDistribution Consistency (hard, soft, firm) Consistency (hard, soft, firm) Odor (sweet, sour, ammonia)Odor (sweet, sour, ammonia) Final Report tense should be consistentFinal Report tense should be consistent Report should be as specific as possible Report should be as specific as possible
without giving a final diagnosis unless a without giving a final diagnosis unless a test for the Dx was performed (i.e. rabies)test for the Dx was performed (i.e. rabies)
Necropsy: FacilitiesNecropsy: Facilities
Necropsy: Protective Necropsy: Protective ClothingClothing
Plastic apron, lab Plastic apron, lab coat, scrubscoat, scrubs
latex or plastic latex or plastic disposable glovesdisposable gloves
surgical mask if surgical mask if animal died from animal died from infectious infectious disease spread disease spread by aerosolizationby aerosolization
protective protective footwearfootwear
Necropsy: ToolsNecropsy: Tools KnivesKnives ScissorsScissors Tissue forcepsTissue forceps Bone-cutting tools (pruning shears, Bone-cutting tools (pruning shears,
hacksaw)hacksaw)
Toxicology SamplesToxicology Samples
blood (10-20 ml)blood (10-20 ml) stomach contents stomach contents
and urine (50-100 ml)and urine (50-100 ml) blocks of liver, fat, blocks of liver, fat,
kidney, and brain kidney, and brain (5x5x10 cm; approx (5x5x10 cm; approx 200 g)200 g)
SamplesSamples
Examine ExteriorExamine Exterior
Necropsy facility: overhead Necropsy facility: overhead hoisthoist
Horse necropsy: remove Horse necropsy: remove forelegforeleg
Horse necropsy: remove rib Horse necropsy: remove rib cagecage
Horse necropsy: internal Horse necropsy: internal organsorgans
Horse necropsy: remove Horse necropsy: remove intestineintestine
Horse necropsy: lungs and Horse necropsy: lungs and heartheart
Horse necropsy: heartHorse necropsy: heart
Horse necropsy: headHorse necropsy: head
Necropsy VideosNecropsy Videoshttp://video.vet.cornell.edu/virtualvet/http://video.vet.cornell.edu/virtualvet/
bovine/chapters1-4.htmlbovine/chapters1-4.html
EsophagusEsophagus
Normal
FoodUlcerationsBleeding
LarynxLarynx
normal
necrosisulceration
TracheaTrachea
normal
necrosisulceration
Pericardial sacPericardial sacClick on picture to view video
LungsLungs
Normal lung tissue-pink-spongy
Normal Bronchopheumonia
Lung abscess-liquid/“cottage cheese” likeappearance
Airways and vesselsAirways and vessels
Lung artery
Lung airway
Normal lung tissueNormal lung tissue
Lung lesionsLung lesions
Emphysema-pops like bubble-wrap
Consolidation-heavy; solid (no air)
Lung worms
Lung adhesionsto ribs
Pneumonia- darker lesionsare more severe
Abscesses
Heart: R ventricleHeart: R ventricle
Heart: R side openedHeart: R side opened
Heart: L sideHeart: L side
Heart LesionsHeart Lesions
Necrotic lesions
Valve lesions
Septal defects—connectionbetween R and L sides
Liver lesionsLiver lesions
Liver abscesses Liver flukes
Fractured liver—due to blunt trauma; (knife cuts smooth)Fatty liver
PACKAGINGPACKAGING
Clean upClean up